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Few British brands have made the leap from a single Bishopsgate menswear shop to genuine royal wardrobe status quite like Reiss. More than five decades after opening its doors, the brand remains a defining name in modern British tailoring, worn everywhere from the office to royal engagements. Here’s a full breakdown of Reiss’s history, what it offers today, and whether it’s still worth the investment.
What Is Reiss?
Reiss is a British fashion brand and retail chain founded in 1971 by David Reiss, who took over his father’s gentlemen’s outfitters on the corner of Bishopsgate and Petticoat Lane in the City of London while still in his twenties. From the very beginning, David Reiss identified a specific gap in the market: affordable, premium-quality tailoring positioned between mass high street basics and the far pricier heritage tailors of Mayfair and Savile Row. That positioning became the brand’s defining identity for decades, and Reiss remained a menswear-only label for nearly thirty years before launching its first womenswear collection in 2000.
The brand’s early output centred on two-piece wool suits, fine-gauge knitwear, overcoats, and dress shirts, sitting on the British high street alongside contemporaries like Ted Baker, Paul Smith, and Hugo Boss, though positioned closer to the tailored end of that group. Reiss has grown significantly since its single-shop beginnings, now operating around 225 points of sale worldwide, including stores across the UK, Ireland, and international locations such as New York. In April 2016, Next plc acquired a majority stake in Reiss, with the Reiss family and Reiss management retaining smaller ownership shares, while founder David Reiss has remained closely associated with the brand’s identity and direction.
Reiss’s Royal and Cultural Recognition
Reiss earned a significant boost in global visibility when Catherine, Princess of Wales, chose to wear the brand for one of her official engagement portraits, resulting in extensive international media coverage and a meaningful rise in brand awareness. The brand has also been worn by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, further cementing its association with modern, elegant British style among a global audience. Beyond royal recognition, Reiss was named Fashion Retailer of the Year at the British Style Awards in 2003 and won Drapers’ “Larger Multiple Retailer of the Year,” reflecting the brand’s transformation from a single tailoring shop into a fully-fledged premium retailer.
What Makes Reiss Different?
- Savile Row-inspired tailoring heritage — Reiss draws directly on the tailoring excellence of Savile Row, translating that craftsmanship tradition into more accessible, ready-to-wear pieces
- In-house design team — rather than relying purely on trend-following, Reiss established its own in-house design and atelier function early in its history, giving the brand tighter creative control
- Award-winning retail architecture — the Reiss flagship store and international headquarters at 12 Picton Place in London, designed by Squire and Partners, has won the RIBA Award, the BCO Award, and the Civic Trust Award
- Personal Tailoring service — launched in 2010, this made-to-measure suit offering brings Savile Row-quality construction at a price point only modestly above the brand’s most expensive off-the-peg suit
- High-profile partnerships — Reiss became McLaren Formula 1 Team’s Official Travel Wear partner in 2023, later launching a co-branded Reiss x McLaren collection in 2024
What Does Reiss Sell?
Men’s Tailoring
Reiss’s founding category and enduring strength, spanning two-piece wool suits, blazers, overcoats, and dress shirts built with the brand’s signature tailored sensibility.
Women’s Clothing
A full womenswear range launched in 2000, including dresses, tailoring, knitwear, and occasion wear, extending Reiss’s design philosophy beyond its original menswear roots.
Reiss Atelier
A premium collection line launched more recently, offering an elevated tier within the brand’s overall range for customers seeking an even higher level of craftsmanship and detail.
Casualwear
An expanded casualwear offering that has grown alongside Reiss’s core tailoring, giving customers a more complete everyday wardrobe from a single brand.
Childrenswear
A children’s collection, launched as part of Reiss’s 50th anniversary expansion, extending the brand’s design language to younger customers.
Footwear & Accessories
Shoes and accessories that have been relaunched in recent years, rounding out Reiss’s offering for a complete head-to-toe look.
Personal Tailoring
A made-to-measure suit service offering Savile Row-quality construction, giving customers a bespoke option within Reiss’s broader ready-to-wear business.
Is Reiss Good Quality?
Reiss has built more than five decades of credibility specifically around tailoring quality, a reputation that traces directly back to David Reiss’s original positioning of the brand between high street basics and full Savile Row pricing. The brand’s Personal Tailoring service, offering made-to-measure suits at a price only modestly above its most expensive off-the-peg option, reflects genuine confidence in construction quality across its range, not just its bespoke offering.
Reiss’s continued investment in award-winning retail architecture, an in-house design team, and premium collection tiers like Reiss Atelier all point to sustained commitment to craftsmanship as the brand has grown from a single London shop into an international retailer with around 225 points of sale. Royal patronage from figures like the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex further reflects the kind of institutional trust that’s difficult to manufacture through marketing alone.
How Does Reiss Compare to Other British Tailoring Brands?
| Feature | Reiss | Typical British High Street Brand |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1971, London | Varies |
| Positioning | Between high street and Savile Row pricing | Varies |
| Made-to-measure service | Yes, Personal Tailoring since 2010 | Rare |
| Ownership | Next plc (72%), Reiss family and management | Varies |
| Royal association | Worn by the Princess of Wales, Duchess of Sussex | Varies |
| Global footprint | ~225 points of sale, including UK, Ireland, US | Varies |
Tips for Buying Reiss
- Start with core tailoring like a two-piece wool suit if you want the piece most representative of Reiss’s founding heritage
- Consider Personal Tailoring if you want a made-to-measure suit without full Savile Row pricing
- Explore Reiss Atelier if you’re looking for the brand’s most premium, elevated collection tier
- Check the McLaren collaboration pieces if you’re drawn to the brand’s more recent performance-meets-tailoring crossover collections
- Watch for seasonal sales, since Reiss runs regular promotional periods across both its menswear and womenswear ranges
Final Verdict: Is Reiss Still Worth It?
More than fifty years after David Reiss took over his father’s Bishopsgate shop, Reiss remains one of the defining names in modern British tailoring, having successfully bridged the gap between accessible high street shopping and genuine Savile Row-inspired craftsmanship. With royal patronage, award-winning retail design, a dedicated Personal Tailoring service, and continued expansion into premium and lifestyle collaborations, Reiss has proven it can evolve without losing the tailoring heritage that built the brand. For anyone looking for elevated, well-constructed British style, Reiss remains a genuinely strong choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Reiss? Reiss was founded in 1971 by David Reiss, who took over his father’s gentlemen’s outfitters on Bishopsgate in the City of London.
Is Reiss a British brand? Yes, Reiss is a British fashion brand headquartered in London, with its roots in menswear tailoring dating back to 1971.
Who owns Reiss? Next plc holds a 72% majority stake in Reiss, with the Reiss family holding around 22% and Reiss management holding the remaining share, following a 2016 investment deal.
Has Reiss been worn by royalty? Yes, Catherine, Princess of Wales, wore Reiss for one of her official engagement portraits, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has also been seen wearing the brand.
Does Reiss offer made-to-measure suits? Yes, Reiss launched its Personal Tailoring service in 2010, offering made-to-measure suits with Savile Row-quality construction.
When did Reiss launch womenswear? Reiss launched its first womenswear collection in 2000, nearly three decades after the brand was founded as a menswear-only label.
